Carolina stargazing

Melton Memorial Observatory to host sky and eclipse viewings

Astronomers at the Melton Memorial Observatory are ready to serve as your tour guide
of the night sky on Mondays this spring and summer.

Melton Memorial Observatory will be open to the public Monday nights for stargazing
and will host events in connection with the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse.

Located on Greene Street near the Horseshoe, the almost 90-year-old observatory is
free and open to the public on Monday nights year round. It’s home to a 16-inch Cassegrain
telescope in the dome and other small telescopes on the observatory deck that make
seeing the moon, planets and stars easy.

Clear, spring nights present the perfect opportunity to stargaze, and with weather
consistently improving in April, Melton management anticipates an influx of sky-watchers
in the coming weeks.

A couple of recent celestial events also have generated interest in astronomy, says Steve
Rodney, professor in the physics and astronomy department. The supermoon last fall
and the upcoming total solar eclipse Aug. 21 are turning people’s eyes skyward. Columbia has been identified as one of
the top places to experience the first total eclipse to cross the entire continental
U.S. in almost 100 years.

As the moon passes directly in front of the sun on the afternoon of Aug. 21, the darkest
part of the moon’s shadow will briefly fall across Columbia and the surrounding region.
Observers in Columbia will experience about two and a half minutes of “totality” —
the period when the sun is completely obscured by the moon. This is one of the largest
stretches of darkness for any city along the path of totality.

“Once it gets to totality, the sky will go as dark as deep twilight, bright stars
will become visible, and the temperature will drop by five to 10 degrees,” Rodney
said. “It’s a completely different kind of experience than a partial eclipse.”

Eclipse-chasers from all over the world are planning trips to Columbia to view the
eclipse in the path of totality. NASA and other eclipse experts estimate that South
Carolina could expect 1 million visitors to the state, with the majority traveling
to the Midlands, for this once-in-a- lifetime event.

The University of South Carolina is planning several events for students, faculty
and the community before and on the day of the eclipse.

Yale University solar physicist Sarbani Basu will give a public lecture at 7 p.m.,
Aug. 18 at the W.W. Hootie Johnson Performance Hall in the Darla Moore School of Business.
Her talk will cover history of eclipses, what this event means in the context of modern
solar physics and what people can expect on the afternoon of Aug. 21. Learn more on
the physics and astronomy department’s website.

The physics and astronomy department is planning to set up eclipse information stations
throughout campus on Aug. 21. The stations will include student volunteers serving
as guides to tell people what to look for and how to safely observe the eclipse. Volunteers
are currently being recruited. Students do not need a background in astronomy but
must have a willingness to serve and answer questions. Training will be provided.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Steve Rodney at rodneysa@mailbox.sc.edu.

The university is working with various local public and private organizations in planning
for Total Eclipse Weekend, a series of events throughout the Columbia area. Learn
more at the eclipse website.

The eclipse may still be a few months away, but be sure to spend a Monday night or
two at Melton to learn more about the wonders of the night sky. The observatory is
open 8 to 10 p.m. through April and 9 to 11 p.m. May through September, weather permitting.

Get the latest weather updates and news about Melton’s hours and events on the website and follow the observatory on Facebook and Twitter.

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